Arc-lamp.



G. HUMBER.

ARC LAMP. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1. I915.

1,228,443. Patelitdlune 5,1917.

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v ARC LAMP. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1, 1915.

1,228,443. I V Patented June 1917.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVE HUMBEB, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

ARC-LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 19 17.

Continuation of application Serial No. 17,716, filed March 29, 1915. This application filed October 1, 1915. Serial No. 53,487.

useful Improvements in Arc-Lamps, of I which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to are lamps, and particularly to are lamps of the head light type, the present application being a continuation of applicants copending application Serial No. 17,716.

The object of my invention is to provide, in a lamp of the class mentioned, means for automatically feeding the carbons so that a steady light shall be maintained.

A further and more specific object of my invention is to provide improved means for initially establishing the are between the carbon points.

A further and more particular object of my invention is to provide, in an arc lamp of the head light type, means for holding the carbons or electrodes when the lamp is not in operation, in such a manner as to avoid chafing or rubbing together of the carbon points. due to vibrations of the vehicle when in motion.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

l/Vith these objects in view my invention consists generally in an arc lamp, and the various constructions and arrangements of parts all as fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an arc lamp embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is an -enlarged detail section taken on the line m-as of Fig. 1,

Fig.3 is a perspective view of one of the carbon holders and its supporting bracket, the carbon or electrode being omitted,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the same on substantially the line z y of Fig. 1, the electrode being illustrated in position, and,

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the opposite electrod holder with its supporting bracket and cooperating parts.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 indicates the lamp standard or support, which may be of any preferred form, and is proof the electrode in the holder vided with a base 2 for securing the same in position. The standard 1 is equipped 'with adjusting means 3 for thepurpose of centering the arc with relation to the reflector 4.

The bracket ,1 is provided with an ofiset or substantially horizontal portion 1 and upon this portionare secured a pair of brackets 5 and 6, which are insulated from the portion 1 by suitable insulation 7. Secured to the brackets 5 and 6 are electrode holders 8 and 9 respectively, which are arranged so as to support the carbons or electrodes 10 in a downwardly convergent position, as shown in Fig. 1. The carbon holders each preferably comprises an elongated bar provided intermediate its ends with a rearwardly extending stem 11, which projects through an opening provided for the same in the respective bracket 5 or 6. A nut 12 is threaded upon the stem 11 to secure the holder in position.

The holder 8 is preferably rigidly supported, whereas the holder 9 is arranged to oscillat with its stem 11 as a pivot. Each of the holders, 8 and 9, are provided upon their rear faces with bosses or elongated ribs 13, which bear against the adjacent faces of the brackets 5 and 6 to space the holders therefrom, for a purpose which willbe described hereinafter. To securely hold the holder -8 against lateral movement the bracket 5 is preferably formed with a shallow recess 14 to receive a portion of the respective boss 13, as shown in Fig. 4.

The lower end of each of the holders 8 and 9, is provided with a sleeve 15, arranged upon the front face of said holder and of slightly greater internal diameter than the diameter of the electrode, so that the latter may slide freely therethrough. Slidably mounted up- .on'the holders 8 and 9 is a clip 16 for holdto prevent lateral movement thereof, but

adapted to slide freely thereon. spring tongue 19 is secured to the plate 17 to firmly hold the end of the electrode when inserted thereunder. Ears or bosses 20 on the holder end of th plate 17 prevent lateral-movement at its upper end.

Upon each of the sleeves 15, is an imate its ends is' alever 41 having one end. connected by a link 42 with the core 40.

proved clutch for 'governin the feeding of the electrodes; and each c utch comprises an arm or lever 21, pivoted at 22, to oscillate' in a direction longitudinally of the member to which it is attached. The inner end of the lever is provided with an arcuate member 23, arranged longitudinally of the electrode holder, and provided at its opposite ends with grip members 24 and 25 respectively. These are so arranged that one orthe other is in'engagement with the electrode when the lever is at its extreme oppo: site ositions, and yet neither will engage the e ectrode when the lever is in intermediate position. It should be observed that the clutch is arranged so as to g i the inner or adjacent sides of the electrodes.

scribed, I provide a pair of rock levers 26 and 27 respectively, which are pivotedly inounted intermediate their ends to arms 5' and 6 depending from the brackets 5 and 6. The outer ends of the levers 26 and 27 are connected by links with the outer ends of the levers 21 and inorder to permit of adjustment the links are formed of two sections 28' and 28 with the end of one threaded within the adjacent end of the other. Guide sleeves 29 are provided on the members 8 and 9 for said links.

A spring pressed plunger30 is provided adjacent the holder 9 to yieldingly engage the outer edge thereof below the pivot 11 to swing said holder inwardly so as to normally engage the ends of the'electrodes. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5 I provide the bracket 6 with a substantially horizontal barrel 31, in the end of which the plunger 30 is slidably mounted; a spring 32 being arranged in said barrel to project said plunger outwardly. A stop 33 is also provided, preferably on the bracket 6 and adjacent the barrel 31 to limit the inward swing of the holder 9. Formed upon the lever 27 is an upwardly extending curved finger 34, which bears against the inner edge of the holder 9. It is obvious that upon moving the inner end of the lever 27 upwardly, the finger 34 will force or swing the holder 9 outwardly against the tension of the spring pressed plunger 30.

To automatically operate the parts above described, to maintain a steady light, the following arrangement is provided: 36 indicates a source of electric supply which is connected to the electrode holders through suitable conductors 37 and 38 respectively. Interposed in the line 37 is a solenoid 39 mounted uponthe standard 1 and having a movable core 40, Pivotedly mounted upon the standard 1, intermedi- The opposite end of the lever is connected For operating the clutches above demesa-1a ,-dinally and threaded as at 44, and is projected through a lug 45 on the standard 1, and-equipped with thumb nuts 46 threaded upon the portion 44. A second rock lever 47 is arranged above the lever 41 and pivotedly mounted intermediate its ends as at 48, preferably upon the insulated bracket 5. One arm of said lever is connected with the lever 41 intermediate the ivot point of the latter and the link 42. he opposite end of the lever 47 is connected by a link 49 with the inner ends of the levers 26 and 27. 50 indicates a switch, interposed in the circuit of the device.

In operation, when the current is switched ofi, the spring 43 draws downwardly on the lever 41 and through the medium of the levers 41 and 47 forces the link 49 downwardly, thereby, through the levers 26 and 27 drawing upwardly on the links 28'. This forces the lower grip members 25 into engagement with the electrodes, and holds the 1 same firmly so as to prevent chafing or rubbing together of the electrodes when the device is not in use. It should be noted that the grip members 25 are arcuate transversely so that they firmly grip the electrodesand, together with the curved opposite wall of the sleeve 15, hold the electrodes so as to prevent any vibration thereof. As before stated the diameter of the sleeve 15 is slightly greater than that of the electrode. This would allow sufiicient lateral movement of the electrode to permit chafing of the ends thereof when the device is used upon a locomotive, which is the use for which the present lamp was designed. When the current is turned on the solenoid 39 is energized, 0 rating the lever 41 against the tension o the spring 43, thereby raising the link 49 and the inner ends of the levers 26 and 27 This swings the clutches 23 until the upper grip members 24 firmly gras the electrodes, and at the same time the r 34 presses against the holder 9, moving the same outwardly thereby separating the ends of the electrodes and establishing the are. As the points of the electrode wear away the resistance in the circuit is increased thereby decreasin .the pull of the solenoid, allowing the spr1ng43. to operate through the levers 41 and 47 to momentarily depress the link 49. This operates, through the lovers 26 and 27 and the links 28' to momentarily move the clutches23 to intermediate position, thereby releasing the electrodes and allowing lease said electrodes,

the same to gravitate until they contact. The power of the solenoid is thus restored, and the operation repeated togrip the electrodes and separate the points. This operation is performed. with such speed as to be almost imperceptible to the eye.

I claim:

1. In an arc lamp, a support, a pair of electrode holders on said support arranged in convergent relation, electrodes slidably mounted in said holders, a clutch on each holder, each clutch comprising a bar pivoted on said holder and having at one end a pair of spaced grip members arranged to grip said electrodes alternately when said bar is moved to extreme opposite positions and to be out of engagement therewith when in intermediate position, a pair of rock levers, a connection between'eachv rock lever and each clutch, a solenoid, and means connect ing said solenoid and said rock levers whereby movements of the former will be imparted to the latter, substantially as described.

2. In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode holder fixed to said support, a second electrode-holder pivoted on said support, both of said holders being arranged for supporting electrodes in downwardly convergingposition, electrodes in said brackets, a clutch pivotally mounted upon each of said holders and adapted to engage its respective electrode at the limit of movement in each direction, said clutches normally holding said electrodes firmly clamped in said holders with their points in contact, means for swinging said pivoted holder outwardly away from said fixed holder, and for simultaneously operating said clutches to release said electrodes, and by further outward movement of said pivoted holder for holding said electrodes, substantially as described.

3. In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode holder fixed to said support, a second electrode holder pivoted on said support, and said holders being arranged to converge downwardly, electrodes arranged in said holders with their points protruding, a

clutch pivotallymounted on each of said holders for holding said electrodes, said clutchesbelng adapted to engage their respective electrodesat the limit of movement in each direction, means for moving said second holder outwardly away from said fixed holder, means governed by said first named means for operating said clutches upon initial movement of said holder to reand to again grip said electrodes upon further outward movement ofsaid pivoted holder, substantially as described. P

4. In an arc lamp, a support, a pair of holders on said support, said holders being adapted to support electrodes in downwardly converging position, electrodes in their points, a clutch on each of said holders, each clutch having a pair of spaced grip members adapted to release and grip said electrode upon movement of said clutch in a given direction, a solenoid, a connection between the core of said solenoid and each of said clutches whereby movement of the said core in one direction will release and grip successively said electrodes, substantially as described.

5. In an arc lamp, a support, an electrode holder fixed to said support, a second electrode holder pivoted to said support, and said holders being arranged in downwardly convergent position, electrodes in said holders with their ends protruding therefrom to meet at their ends, clutches pivotally mounted on said holders for normally holding said electrodes against gravitation, said clutches being adapted to engage their respective electrodes at the limit of movement in each direction, a solenoid, means connecting the core of said solenoid with said pivoted holder whereby the latter will be moved accordingly with the core, and means governed by said first named means for operat ing said clutches to release and grip successively each of said electrodes upon rocking movement of said pivoted holder, substantially as described.

6. In an arc lamp, a fixed holder, a second holder capable of being moved toward or away from said fixed holder and each of said holders being adapted to loosely support electrodes in downwardly converglng position to meet at their points, a clutch pivotally mounted on each holder for normally holding said electrodes against downward movement, said clutches being adapted to engage their respective electrodes at thelimit of movement in each direction, means for moving said second ,holder toward or away from said fixed holder, and means governed by said first named means for operating each clutch to release and grip its respective electrode at intervals during the outward or inward movement of said mov-.

to loosely hold electrodes in downwardly converging position, electrodes in said holders extending beyond the same to meet at their ends, a clutch member on each of said holders, said clutch members each comprising a bar pivoted for rocking movement on its respective bracket and provided at one endwith spaced gripping members adapted alternately to engage the electrode at the extreme opposite movements of said bar and to be both released from said electrode when at an intermediate position, a solenoid. means connecting the core of said solenoid with said pivoted holder for moving the same toward or away from the fixed holder,

and means connecting the first said means with said clutches for operting the same, substantially as described.

8. In an arc lamp, a support, a pair of holders on said support arranged in down wardly converging position, one of said holders being mounted for movement toward or away from the other of 'said holders, an electrode loosely mounted in each holder extending beyond the same to meet at their points, a clutch comprising a bar pivoted for rocking movement on each holder and provided at one end with an arcuate memher having a gripping member at its opposite ends, one of said gripping members being arranged to contact the adjacent electrode upon each extreme movement of said clutch and to be disengaged therefrom at intermediate position, a solenoid, a pair of rock levers, one .of said rock levers being provided with means for imparting movement to said removable holder, a connection between said solenoid and said rock levers whereby the latter will be rocked upon movements of the former, and a link connecting each rock lever with. said clutches, substantially as described.

9. In an arc lamp, a support, a pair of holders on said support arranged in downwardly converging position, one of said holders being mounted for movement toward or away from the other holder, electrodes 1 mounted for gravitation in said holders projecting therefrom to meet at their points, means on said holders for holding said electrodes against gravitation when said movable holder is in its extreme inward and outward position, a, solenoid, a pair of rock levers, a connection between said solenoid and said rock leversfor operating the lat- I ter, -a connection between said rock levers and said electrode holding means, and means for yieldingly pressing the movable holder toward the other holder, and means for moving said swinging holder away from the other of said holders, substantially as dev10. In an arc lamp, a pair of holders arranged in downwardly convergent position and one of said holders being adapted to swing toward or away from the other holder, electrodes loosely mounted in said holders and projecting from the-ends thereof to meet at their points, clutches on said holders for releasably holding said electrodes against gravitation, a pair of rock levers, a solenoid, a connection between said rock levers and said solenoid, a connection between said rock levers and said clutches, means for yieldingly pressing said swinging holder toward the other holder, and means on one of said rock levers for moving said swinging holder away from the other of said holders, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

D. W. Somxnrm, Jos.- 

